Legislator’s kin murdered in Delhi, one arrested

New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) An auto-rickshaw driver has been arrested for allegedly murdering his neighbour, a relative of Congress legislator Jai Kishan, police said Saturday. Ram Phool, 52, was murdered on the night of Aug 11-12 at about 2 a.m. by his neighbour Ram Niwas, police said.

“Ram Niwas has been arrested for the murder and investigations reveal that a sudden provocation was the reason behind the crime,” deputy commissioner of police (Outer Delhi) Sagar Preet Hooda said.

Ram Niwas had hit Ram Phool on the head with a blunt object and when he found that he was dead, he buried him in his (Ram Phool’s) courtyard itself, the officer said.

The matter came to light after police started investigating a missing persons complaint that Ram Phool’s wife lodged at the Sultanpuri Police Station Tuesday morning.

“During investigations, Ram Niwas was questioned but he gave contradictory statements. On sustained interrogation, he confessed to the crime,” the police officer said.

“On his confession, we went to Ram Phool’s house and dug out his body, which was sent to the Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital for post-mortem.”

The police said that Ram Phool’s wife had a heated argument with Ram Niwas’ family Aug 9. “Ram Phool’s wife accused Ram Niwas of stealing water from their house. On this, Ram Phool had reportedly verbally abused Ram Niwas,” the police officer said.

Ram Phool was living with his wife and two children in Baljeet Nagar and was an employee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). He was a cousin of Jai Kishen, Congress MLA from Sultan Puri.